Energy Development on Farmland: Statement on target areas for well sites

Publisher:  Christian Farmers Federation of Western Canada, Edmonton, Canada
Year Published:  1981  
Pages:  8pp  
Resource Type:  Article
Cx Number:  CX2280

This statement on well site locations was presented to Alberta's Energy Resources Conservation board (ERCB) supporting the position to have the target area requirements for future oil and natural gas wells moved to the north-east corner of quarter sections or sections for the entire province.

Abstract:  This statement on well site locations was presented to Alberta's Energy Resources Conservation board (ERCB) supporting the position to have the target area requirements for future oil and natural gas wells moved to the north-east corner of quarter sections or sections for the entire province.

The Christian Farmers Federation of Western Canada (CFFWC) expressed its concern to the ERCB because the development of oil and gas wells, traditionally sited in the center of quarter sections, has resulted in serious disturbances to farmland. The 22,230 oil and gas wells drilled since 1977 alone have disturbed an estimated 100,000 acres of land, many of these being agricultural soils.

Present exceptions to the practice of center spacing of target areas exist for south-eastern Alberta and the Grande Prairie area but only for oil wells. CFFW's statement points out that target areas for gas wells must also be shifted to the north-east quardrant because, over the past few years, about three times more gas wells than oil wells were drilled in Alberta.